I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or His children begging for bread. – Psalm 37:25
On this day in 1844, President John Tyler nearly lost his life while cruising the Potomac aboard the U.S. Navy’s newest steam frigate USS Princeton. The ship carried a brand new 12-inch, 27,000-pound cannon named the Peacemaker. John Ericsson, the co-designer of the weapon, was opposed to discharging it as a demonstration, concerned that it had not been sufficiently tested. Disregarding the warnings, the ship’s captain, eager to show off the cannon, insisted it be fired. The first two shots were successful, but on the third attempt, the cannon exploded. Several aboard were killed, including two Cabinet members. President Tyler survived, as he was halfway up the ladder to the upper deck when the explosion occurred. Pray today for U.S. officials to proceed with tried and tested methods of governing.
As the Lord leads, pray with us…
- For the president and his administration to learn from the mistakes and errors of history, not only of this nation but the world.
- For members of Congress to be mindful of failed policies of the past and be united in measures that nurture life and peace.
